Travel Planning at Least on Paper
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| Clear skies ahead |
My mantra is I'll get through this financial stretch to end the year, then really hone in on my budget. I got a bit loosy tracking categories. While I had money set aside to pay for the cruise and ridiculous airfare, it was a bit of juggling. I plan to be much tighter with my travel account as part of sinking fund deposits.
Tamara at My Retirement Project posted a bit ago about travel plan's extended to 2030. That's fantastic for her, and some are not just planned but even booked. I really get inspired by her posts; truly creating an early retirement (at 50 if I'm correct) that aligns with goals for health, family, and friends, and with travel, now in comfort.
Anyway, as I've shared, my travel notebook is getting a lot of pages created for possible destinations and itineraries. I've got side notes as well as places to visit that might include a bit of condo looking. I just am not sure when or where, (or even if) to buy a good winter snowbird destination so why not combine travel with auditioning part time homes?
Not really snowbird destinations, but I can't help but look at potential UK areas for a part time life, with the proximity to Europe a train or short flight away to justify a long weekend. A London flat is well beyond my price point however, farther out might be doable. A walkable town or village with a train station to get to a major airport or train station would be a must as I would not drive. Buying internationally feels like I'd leave too much complexity for my kids, but short term rentals might work, particularly in November, January, or February when I'd be sick of Minnesota winter. I don't mind walking in cold and damp, just tired by the end of January of bitter cold below10°F, and the thaw, melt, refreeze treacherous paths that make getting out on foot nightmarish and leads to cabin fever. Possibilities to imagine is my idea of fun and costs nothing.
I don't have plans to 2030, but here's my short list.
- March 2027 Western Caribbean Cruise (booked)
- May 2027 weekend with sisters on a wine/brewery/ distillery trail
- October/November 2027 Savannah, GA with some family, but possibly a solo trip
No date projected...
- Scotland by way of London ( hoping spring or fall 2028)
- Door County, WI
- Upper UP, Michigan
- Grand Marais, MN
- Washington State or Orgeon, PNW (Meg B we can do some planning to connect)
- New York City with at least one or all of my kids
- Montreal, possibly combined with a cruise
- France, mixing a small community stay with Paris ( but not until things settle down...so sad)
- Colorado, Utah, or there abouts for light National Park hiking trip ( hotels,, or camping cabins, no tent camping)
On paper, I like most of your list: NYC, Scotland, somewhere in Canada though I'm not specific as to where, Alaska, Hawaii, Greece, Australia, maybe NZ, Portugal, Japan.
ReplyDeleteIn reality, maybe just a few of those.
Paper planning has no limits. Ive been Googling sone Greek Island options, free if charge to think.
DeleteLove this, and we have a huge list on our side as well. Definitely back to NZ, Australia/Tasmania, lots of Italy, plus the Dolomites, most of Europe, Alaska, and as many national parks as we can get to. - Hawaii Planner
ReplyDeleteI feel like while my legs are more mobile, Ill try getting more walking trips in, but love the idea of a NZ Australia cruise. There's much more of the US I need to see too.
DeleteI have plans to travel more over the next few years before hubby and I get too old to do it. I think I will write a blog post with a lot of where I want to go as a starting point and plan from there. Will also check out that retirement blog site you mentioned
ReplyDeleteTamara is full of life! Yes, my priorities are more mobile trips while I can and more relaxing trips in places I really want to spend time when I slow down.
DeleteI have never been a traveler or a want to be one. I love staying close to home and just chilling. That is just me. I am glad you have so many plans, at least on paper - I hope you get to enjoy them all.
ReplyDeleteI'll mix my desire for travel with investing time and attention to home. I too have my homebody life, so travel will be add on, not fully life.
DeleteOooh sounds fun!! Love your list!
ReplyDeleteWe have plans to go to a cabin in the Smokies in December with my brother and his family. We have gone every year for the past 20+ years so it is something we all look forward to.
DeleteSon and dil want to go on a family vacation to Disney world next fall.
I'm hoping to get a rail pass next year, and visit as many national parks as we can.
Wish list: another Alaska cruise, England, Scotland, Greece, NZ, Japan, Hawaii
I love the US mountains and parks and definitely needcto prioritize seeing more the US too. I just fugure long distance flights are easier in 60's than in my 70's so I keep thinking far away.
DeleteMy travel is seeing our vast country. I've been in 25 states (including Alaska/Hawaii) and have seen much of 10 of those. So really, 35 to go. National Parks......and NASCAR tracks for this motorhead. I love the history of this country and when I go to a city, I walk it for days to take it in (Philly, Boston, SF, DC to name a few). I love historical museums, art museums, Science offerings, walking trails......so much to offer in this country.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. As I said above, its my concern that in another decade, international flights might be less appealing.
DeleteWell, now that I'm over blushing, I want to first extend a sincere 'thank you' for your generous and kind words.
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons I plan so far out, is that if I put my plan onto my calendar as an event, even if still tentative, I'm more likely to make it a reality. In addition, I can plan around it for events that occur annually, or if I'm purchasing season tickets to a series of live events.
And, guess what? Your post has inspired me to go even harder, which is really what I so enjoy about blogging. There is an energy that is created when a group of strangers come together.
O
Just read your post...amazing. I'll be watching for your post trip blogs.
DeleteWe are thinking of an ocean cruise in the next year or so. Probably to Greece and the Greek islands, but I will need to save quite a bit more before that gets booked.
ReplyDeleteIf you go to Montreal, you should try and get to Quebec City. It is like going to Europe in the old city.
God bless.
I'll have to look at options to go between the two. I still speak a bit of French, and maybe will be spurred on to refresh.
DeleteTravel while you can, I say!
ReplyDeleteIt's what Im hoping and easuer now than in another decade. Pup is my limitation niw ( and no endless funds.)
DeleteTyping this comment in Rome!
ReplyDeleteI am doing the (very expensive) 3 safari in June, and the Mediterranean cruise in September, but am thinking I may have to cancel that with daughter’s commencement in May. My body just can’t face all that activity. (I still am homebody at heart.)
And not to hint or “dry bed” as the kids say, but I have it on good authority I am a damn good travel companion…just sayin’..
All the best. And thank you for your support, Sam, as I navigate this path.
-Meg B.
I continue to love this for you Meg! <3
DeleteI'm laughing as not sure you have the right slang, Meg. Regardless, if I can figure out PNW travel, Id live to connect. You're back to being an international traveler though so no keeping yiu back!
DeleteI'm waiting for our local bus company's 2027 catalogue to come out before I start planning - but it is exciting isn't it. For Greece I would recommend Crete (simply because it's the biggest island - they're all beautiful) and Italy - off the top of my head - Cinque Terre (although it's small so you can do other stuff too - Pisa, etc.). I love the start of the year when I start planning but then have to calm down a bit when costs are added up and babysitting duties are thrown in!
ReplyDeleteI was doing some Googling and dang if Im not holding my fingers back from booking a 10 day trip in April as the price is right and still out of season, so hopefully less cruwfs. Nope, not next spring, but soon! I have pet sitting thrown in and of course pup, but planning ahead for options is a good exercise.
DeleteOh my gosh! Am beyond impressed with your planning. We are talking about getting back to the Pacific NW next summer to see kids and grandkids, but have not yet taken even baby steps as to how we do it, let alone when.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are able to and soon.
DeleteI want to go to England and I turn 40 next year :') but I promised my friend I'd go to Trinidad for her 40th which is a month after my birthday. Sigh. I also want to go to Aruba, so I can finish of a big chunk of Kokomo by the Beach Boys, lol! I love your list and I am glad you're planning for it.
ReplyDeleteDarn budget and time limitations. You could do England before your next birthday and it'd still be in your 40th birthday year.
DeleteWe've already started making a few plans for next year. I really need to get the finances in check and then add a larger amount to the travel budget. We aren't big spenders when we're away and we don't care if we stay in luxury, we just like getting away for a bit.
ReplyDeleteI want clean, but am ok with basic accommodations. I'm also a fan of picking up bits in grocery stores to make my own lunches and find a good park or public space and enjoy the everyday. One of my favorite memories in Paris was buying 5 oranges and my family taking a break in the lawn beyond the Eiffel tower. It had to be a postcard moment.
DeleteMy winters will be spent in Yuma, Arizona for, at least, another 7 or 8 years. My daughter and I (with the grandson) have a trip booked for Newfoundland next June. She wants to plan for a trip every second year, so I'm hoping to fit in a cruise in 2028 - most likely at Canada/New England (Quebec City to Boston or vice versa) in the fall.
ReplyDeleteI'm also hoping to convince my younger brother to fly out to Ottawa with me, to travel to a community in Quebec where our great-great grandfather emigrated in about 1831-32. I've been working on our family history and I'd love to see where he and his wife were buried, and perhaps meet some distant cousins.
Thosecsound lovely Maebeme. My in laws had a winter place in Mesa for about 12 years. They had many Canadien neighbors. I sure hope that will work for your brother. My youngest got to meet her extended family on my mom's side in Norway, and see the old family farm my grandpa was born on.
DeleteI'm impressed with your planning. Haven't got anything in the pipeline at the moment, but we're hoping to return to the UK in April, if my husband's health allows. xxx
ReplyDeleteI think you drive, am I right, and usre the ferry? Ive more ideas than pup will allow, or the budget can handle but thinking ahead for when an opportunity rises is part of my thoughts.
DeleteI’ve been side lined this month from traveling so I’m a bit depressed about it (very part time post retirement job commitment) so I had to cancel a mid October trip to Boston and I was going to rent a car and drive around those upper east states :(. I can comment on your trip list because I live in Midwest Mn I actually find it very easy to go to Door Co. It’s so close to the cities and you’ll love it. I usually go about every year. I think it just takes doing it, can you take pup with you? I think it’s only about a 6 hour drive from the cities. Some trips I really enjoyed last year seem to match with you. In March I flew to Tampa to see granddaughter at college with my daughter and granddaughters, I took the train to DC and stayed about a week in Alexandria and just loved it, bucket list Cherry blossom time. In December I took the train to NYC ( met my granddaughter coming home from Tampa on school break and spent about 5 days, bucket list Christmas in NYC. Note we stayed at the HI hostel in a dorm and loved it. I often stay in hostels for the price and locations. ( I’m 72 and all my friends say they couldn’t but I’m very fine with it) . Then came home town with me on the train. I flew from Fargo on Allegiant in May for like a $120, hotels on the strip are cheap and nice and did two tour bus day trips picked up at my hotel to Zion and Bryce and then Grand Canyon. They were around 100.00 a day, very nice trips solo. I do most of my trips solo outside of family travels. In April I took a train to Portland and rented a car and drove the Pacific coast highway and it was wonderful!! More beautiful than I had imagined! Note I get the Amtrak pass at least once a year and try and squeeze two long trips in those 30 days. It is very economical. I also went to Charleston last spring with another daughter her husband and a 1and 3 year old, we stayed at a airBNB for about 5 days and loved it (she wants to go back again this year ) and it was nice not being solo too plus after the kids went to bed I baby sat so they went out to some great restaurants! Sorry this is out of sequence but just thinking where did I go last year ha! I really want to go to Scotland too! Plus I want to do a European Christmas market tour ( next bucket list? )
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely looking at driving options that I can bring pup with. However he has limited patience in the car but I'm thinking maybe he'd do OK in the way back. I love your recap abd future travel goals.
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